Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026

08:35
Minimum Burning Pressures of Water-based Emulsion Explosives
Published on: October 31, 2017
Possible Mechanism for Pressurized-Liquid Tank Explosions or BLEVE's
Abstract:
The hypothesis is made that rapid depressurization of hot, saturated liquids may result in an explosion. The temperature of the hot liquid must, however, be above the superheat limit temperature at 1 atmosphere, and the drop in tank pressure must be very rapid. Two examples of large-scale pressure-letdown explosions are cited and possible preventative measures suggested.
Related Concept Videos
The Joule and Joule–Thomson Experiments
Consider an adiabatic system composed of two chambers, A and B, designed such that no heat flows into or out of the system. Initially, chamber A is filled with a gas at a fixed temperature T1, pressure p1, and volume V1, while chamber B is evacuated. The gas is then gradually forced through a rigid, porous barrier to chamber B, ultimately reaching temperature T2, pressure p2, and volume V2. A piston on the right side maintains a constant pressure (p2), which is lower than p1. The significant...
Pascal's Law
In 1653, the French philosopher and scientist Blaise Pascal published "Treatise on the Equilibrium of Liquids," which discussed the principles of static fluids. A static fluid is a fluid that is not in motion. When a fluid is not flowing, we say that the fluid is in static equilibrium. If the fluid is water, we say it is in hydrostatic equilibrium. For a fluid in static equilibrium, the net force on any part of the fluid must be zero; otherwise, the fluid will start to flow. Pascal observed...
Excess Pressure Inside a Drop and a Bubble
The shape of a small drop of liquid can be considered spherical, neglecting the effect of gravity. This drop can further be considered as two equal hemispherical drops put together due to surface tension. The forces acting on the spherical drop are due to the pressure of the liquid inside the drop, the pressure due to air outside the drop, and the force due to the surface tension acting on the two hemispherical drops.
Accelerating Fluids
When a fluid is in constant acceleration, the pressure and buoyant force equations are modified. Suppose a beaker is placed in an elevator accelerating upward with a constant acceleration, a. In the beaker, assume there is a thin cylinder of height h with an infinitesimal cross-sectional area, ΔS.
The motion of the liquid within this infinitesimal cylinder is considered to obtain the pressure difference. Three vertical forces act on this liquid:
The motion of the liquid within this infinitesimal cylinder is considered to obtain the pressure difference. Three vertical forces act on this liquid:
Fluid Pressure
In mechanical engineering, fluid pressure plays a critical role in designing systems that utilize liquid flow, such as hydraulic systems, pumps, and valves. When designing these systems, engineers must ensure they can withstand the forces created by fluid pressure to avoid damage or failure.
According to Pascal's law, a fluid at rest will generate equal pressure in all directions. This pressure is measured as a force per unit area, and its magnitude depends on the fluid's specific weight or...
According to Pascal's law, a fluid at rest will generate equal pressure in all directions. This pressure is measured as a force per unit area, and its magnitude depends on the fluid's specific weight or...
Design Example: Flow Through a Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher that uses pressurized water relies on fluid dynamics principles to generate a high-velocity stream capable of suppressing flames. The water is stored at a much higher pressure inside the extinguisher than the surrounding atmosphere. This pressure difference forces the water to flow rapidly when the extinguisher is activated, and the behavior of the water as it exits the nozzle can be understood using fundamental equations of fluid dynamics.
The key to understanding how the...
The key to understanding how the...
